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Beyond Individualism

Reconstituting the Liberal Self

Jack Crittenden

Beyond Individualism

Reconstituting the Liberal Self

Jack Crittenden

Description

In the examination of the conception of human nature, a duality is commonly perceived--the liberal self as atomistic, self-contained, even selfish; and the communitarian self as socially situated and defined through its environment. Crittenden argues that neither view is acceptable, drawing on recent psychological research to expound on a theory of "compound individuality." This work includes a discussion of the compound individual as the self of liberalism, as well as a discussion of the sort of political organization that can generate personal identity constituted by liberal autonomy and communitarian sociality.

Beyond Individualism

Reconstituting the Liberal Self

Jack Crittenden

Reviews and Awards

"Beyond Individualism shows us that there are other choices besides liberal atomism and communitarian nostalgia. It is something that we already should have known, but Crittenden is right to have reminded us."--American Political Science Review

"An important contribution on a topic of "self," which has no clearly defined disciplinary home.... The book is forcefully argued...well written, and accessible to readers lacking knowledge in many relevant disciplines.... A welcome addition to an important area of study."--Great Plains Sociologist